METROLAND (NOW) :

Revival of a Capital Region Institution

Like the glory days of First Friday, METROLAND played such an important part in the creative discovery of what the Capital Region had to offer. Every week I remember picking up a copy (Usually at Tess's Lark Tavern) and scanning through it to plan my weekend activities. While there are some other sources of arts and cultural listings in the region where you can find out things that are happening and get good interviews and background (Radio Radio X and Nippertown) METROLAND was always a gold standard for finding out where and what was happening from the above to underground scenes. Musician / Comedian Erin Harkes is looking to bring back that energy and has secured the brand for a new rendition retooled as METROLAND NOW. The question is, what will she do with it?


"I have been offered an incredible amount of support from some of the most successful people in the area and am genuinely humbled by the respect I’ve been shown. I have a big ego and know what my vision is but I am not too proud to ask for help with the things that I haven’t learned enough about yet. It will take a village, but I HAVE that village." Erin Harkes : Publisher at the METROLAND NOW


Now if we could only convince Andrew to bring back KEEP ALBANY BORING...



Corey Aldrich : Senior ACE Contributor


Image: Kiki Vassilakis
PLAY IT AGAIN!

Historic METROLAND Covers from Back in the Day! | Photo(s): Facebook

1UpState GAME EXPO IS BACK FOR YEAR 2 with Expanded Programming

and Participation

Super excited to be helping to get the word out on this exciting and growing video gaming conference. Expo organizer Anthony Rossi reached out to ACE! and Discover Albany when 1UpState was just a long shot idea about a year in advance of the 2023 inaugural event. His passion was contagious and he was building excitement in small to mid-sized regional studios and regional educational institutions for his idea. Last year was a great success and the vibe was on point. This year is building on that progress with great vendors, presenters and a headline sponsorship from Warner Bros. Games. I spoke with Anthony and this years keynote speaker Jason Dela Rocca to get a better idea of what we can expect and how our region can better position itself in the gaming industry.


"One of the big challenges is properly supporting/nurturing entrepreneurship. Many regions are full of talented and passionate game makers, but they often remain on the sidelines, tinkering away as hobbyists or weekend warriors...This is compounded by the fact that most schools teaching games do not offer any business/marketing related courses, and generally try to funnel graduates to entry level jobs at big studios…often out of state." Jason Dela Rocca : Game Funding and Ecosystem Strategist


PS: Email me if you know the game reference in the link button. First 3 correct responses get a free pass to the conference!


Corey Aldrich : Senior ACE Contributor



Image: (1) Provided | (2) Expo Partner Organization : Tech Valley Game Space


Jason Dela Rocca : Investor, Game Funding Advisor and Ecosystem Strategist / Event Keynote

Anthony Rossi : Co-Producer and Organizer at 1UpState
WIZARD NEEDS FOOD BADLY!

AN ACE! AMPLIFIED EVENT : 10.19.24

ATTENTION ARTISTS!

Sustaining the Artist Community :

New York State Survey Project

ARTISTS! WITH 5 MINUTES OF YOUR TIME AND FEEDBACK, HELP US HELP YOU.


Sustaining the Artist Community: NYS Survey Project seeks to identify artist populations as well as the tools they need to thrive. The Survey has four sections: demographics to tell us who are artists are; professional development opportunities; artist studio and workplace needs; and finally, an assessment around housing, both rented and owned. The survey takes less than 5 minutes to complete and is a high-level assessment that will help public, private and government agencies develop the resources artists deserve to thrive.


Sustaining the Artist Community: NYS Survey Project (SACNYC) is an open-source tool. The report data, including options to construct unique queries, will be accessible to all.


SACNYS is in its pilot phase here in the Capital Region. Upon the completion of the Capital Region survey, it will enter an assessment and potential revision period. Once complete, the final survey will be administered state-wide by ArtsNYS, New York State’s arts advocacy agency.


Artists deserve opportunity! Please complete this survey and share it with other artists.
FILL OUT THE SURVEY HERE!

SACNYS was developed by The Arts Center of the Capital Region, in collaboration with ACE! (Upstate Alliance for the Creative Economy), CREATE Council on the Arts (serving Greene, Columbia and Schoharie Counties), and ArtsNYS. The survey was directed and constructed by the Siena College Research Institute. 


SACNYS was made possible with funding from the New York State Legislature. 


Demographic research queries were based on Creative Rebuilds New York’s Portrait of New York State Artists Survey.

INSIDE ACE! | Creating a New Path

Its Libra season! Oh the aesthetics of fall, my favorite season. Lots of good things going on as well. As you may have heard, arts and culture rag METROLAND is getting a revival as METROLAND NOW, we chatted with Erin Harkes the new publisher to see what her plans are and what to expect in the coming months. 1UpState Video Game Expo is back for its second year and is picking up speed with new programming and a sweet integrated sponsorship from Warner Bros Games (Congrats!). This year they are adding a old school board game live feedback / development zone...so cool.


ACE! has partnered up with the Arts Center of the Capital Region, ARTSNYS and CREATE Council on the Arts to put together a new survey (Sustaining the Artist Community : NYS Survey Project) that has rolled out in the Capital District but will also move across the state of NY to collect important data about artist sustainability as it pertains to housing and studio space. Please take a moment to fill this out if applicable and forward it to your artist friends.


Compiled data from the survey will be made available FREE of charge once compiled to assist folks with institutional planning and grant writing, regional planning, and as part of a metric tool set for city planning boards and the legislature.


Have any cool creative job listings, open calls, industry news or grant funding opportunities? Drop me a line and get them included in our next issue.


Corey Aldrich

ACE! : Executive Director


E: hello@upstateace.org | W: upstatecreative.org | SOCIALS: @upstatecreative

Regional & Beyond :

NEWS / OPPORTUNITY

Saratoga Arts

FREE Grantee Ceremony

2024 Community Arts Grants

Hyperallergic

10 Shows to See in Upstate New York in October

NY Foundation for the Arts

Unrestricted Cash Grants

$8000 | Deadline: 12.17

Museum Association of NY

CALL FOR PROPOSAL Cultivating Community Looking In Reaching Out | Due: 11.08

NYSCA

FY 25 Capital Projects Grant Funds | From $10K Up to $10M

Deadline: 01.14.25

The Hill

New Book Details How Austin Lost Its ‘Magic’ & the Larger Threat Trajectory It Represents

Saratoga Arts

Community Arts Regrants (+)

$1K - $5K | Deadline: 11.01

Arts Center of the Cap Region

Art Connects Grants

$2500 - $5000 | Deadline 11.01

Resources for Artist Please!

Survey to Help Our Legislature Secure Funds for Artists | 5 Mins

CORRECTION: Last month in the news section we mistakenly labeled the source of a story on the NYS Museum, attributing it to the Troy Savings Bank Foundation. It should have been attributed to the Times Union. We regret any confusion this may have caused.

Capital Region Job Opportunities
HIRING CREATIVES? Drop Us a Note!
ACE : Upstate Alliance for the Creative Economy
For inquiries, hot tips or requests: hello@upstateace.org

web: upstatecreative.org
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